Automatic time control device for coin-operated phonograph apparatus



June 7, 1949. L. A. DURANT AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL DEVICE FOR C 2,472,287 GIN-OPERATED PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 21-, 1947 I vllllllllllllh MI .1 WW/ I IIIIIIII w mm H w u M mflfm W M L A. DURANT 2,472,287

June 7, 1949.

AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL DEVICE FOR COIN-OPERATED PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 21, 1947 ls riifii i flm l 53 7 Q Z'a o 5 Q I Ii o 18 l i5] 4? 51 23 o 44 43 /ra/vo. Mara/e 6 CI/E'CU/T.

24 5'7 43 P 4? 4e 26 23 T 42 Z9 41 33 o f 3b 4 17 37 TW I E Patented June 7, 1949 AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL DEVICE FOR COIN-OPERATED PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS Lyndon A. DuranflChicago, 111., assignor to Royal Patent Corporation Application May 21, 1947; Serial No. 749,486

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an automatic time control device for coin-operated phonograph apparatuses in which the timing device comprises an arrangement for periodically conditioning the phonograph apparatus for play without the employment of a coin.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which by the playingof the phonograph through the automatic control of the timing device, will create a desire upon the part of those listening to the playing of the phonograph, to continue the operation of the phonograph apparatus by the use of coins.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of means for releasing a movable switch actuating member to a normal or initial position at any time from the start of its movement to the completion thereof as and when the phonograph motor circuit is continued for operation by the use of a coin.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement whereby the length of the non-playing interval of the phonograph apparatus may be varied when the phonograph is not conditioned for operation by a coin.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a control device of the character hereinafter set forth which comprises relatively few parts, with the result that the device may be expeditiously manufactured at an economical cost,

This invention constitutes an improvement over that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,421,835, granted June 10, 1947, on a Time-controlled mechanism for phonograph apparatuses.

ther objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combina tion and arrangement of parts tobe hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container within which the device is confined; I

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view taken substantialiy on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a spiral track embodied in the invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device removed from within its enclosure;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1, taken from the left-hand side thereof;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 4. V

The several objects of my invention are accomthe carriage plate 2 pli-shed by the preferred form of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the enclosure is indicated at Hi and comprises a. bottom section II and a removable cover [2.

To a wall |3 of this enclosure is secured as at l4 a mounting bracket l5. Carried by this mounting bracket Hi to one side of the medial portion |6 thereof is a motor I! connected by suitable wire clips I8 to a suitable source of electric energy.

This motor includes an armature shaft l9. and secured to this shaft l9 as at an is a spool 2| providing a spiral track 22 terminating at one end into a cam 23.

Extending from the medial portion of the bracket I5 is a stationary stud 24. This stud 24 has mounted thereon an oscillatory carriage plate 25. Pivotally connected to the carriage plate by means of a pintle screw 26 is a track arm 2'! normally. pivoted to the inner end 28 of the spiral track 22 by means of a spring 29 having a coil portion 30 coiled about the pintle screw 26 and having one end 3| connected to the track arm 21 and the opposite end 32 connected to the pintle screw 25 by insertion in a slot 33 formed in the head of this screw 26. The plate 25 is oscillated against the action of a spring 34 coiled about the stud 24, with one end portion of the spring 34 connected as at 35 to the stud 24 and the opposite end portion 36 connected to the carriage plate 25.

The carriage plate 25 is maintained in its position upon the stud 24 by means of a cotter Secured by spot welding or the like to 25 is the upstanding portion 38 of a reset arm 39; the end 40 of which has a magnetically attractable plate 4| attached thereto, and disposed beneath the core of an electromagnetic coil 42. This coil 42 is connected incircuit with the phonograph motor circuit (not shown) through the medium of wire eyelets 43. The coil 42 is insulated from a supporting arm 44, and this arm 44 is connected as at 45 to the medial portion l6 of the bracket 5.

Carried by the mounting bracket I5 is a plate 45 on which is mounted and insulated therefrom the base 47 of a leaf spring switch 43, the base 4? being connected to the plate 46 by means of screws 49. The leaf springs 50 of this switch 48 are connected by means of connectors 5| to the phonograph starting circuit.

The track arm 21 includes a mounting boss 52, and adjustably projected through this boss 52 is a track pin 53 adapted to engage the spirals of the track 22. The lower end portion of the arm pin 31.

3 21 provides a lateral foot 54 which, under certain conditions, is adapted to engage the switch 48 and bear the spring leaves 50 thereof into contact with respect to each other.

In the cover I2 is formed an elongated slot 55. Movable in this slot is a guide plate 56 having upturned ends 57 serving as stops for engagement with the opposite end portions of the slot 55.

Beneath the cover l2 and carrying the guide plate 56, is an elongated plate 3% disposed for movement parallel with the adjacent surface of the cover [2 upon movement of the guide plate within the slot 55. Threaded into this plate 58 is a draw screw 59, the head. 68 of which bears against the top surface of the wall 52 whereby when the screw is tightened the plate 58 will be drawn tightly against the adjacent surface of the cover l2 to hold the plate 58 in an adjusted position with respect to the cover I2. This plate 58 carries a depending finger 6| which is extended into the path of movement of the track arm 2?.

A suitable switch (not shown) may control the source of power to the motor ll.

When the motor ll is energized and the shaft l9 thereof rotated, the spool 2i will rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. i. The track pin 53 being disposed in the spiral track 22, will Work longitudinally of the spool in a direction to pivot the track arm 21 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. When the track pin 53 reaches the end of the spiral track 22 (which is to the right as viewed in Fig. l) the track pin will engage the inclined surface 23' of the cam 23 and, as the pin rides off this inclined surface 23', the foot 54 (which has an insulating jacket 54' there on) will bear against the switch 48 and press the spring leaves thereof into contact with respect to each other, whereby to close a circuit to the phonograph startingl circuit, whereupon the phonograph motor circuit will become energized and effect operation of the phonograph. The phonograph circuit has not been shown or described, as it constitutes no part of the present invention and may be any one of a number of standard phonograph circuits now commercially in use in connection with the operation of coincontrolled phonographs.

Upon energization of the phonograph motor circuit by action of the switch 58, the coil 42 will become energized and attract the arm 39 so as to pivot the carriage plate 25 in an anticlockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, whereby to disengage the track pin 53 from the cam 23 to permit pivotal movement of the track arm El in an anticlockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, to dispose the track pin 53 at the starting point of the spiral track 22.

By actual experimentation, I have found that it takes approximately thirty minutes for the track pin 53 to travel from the beginning of the spiral track 22 to a position whereby it drops off the cam 23. There may be times when it is desired that this interval of inoperativeness of the phonograph be limited. To accomplish this, the finger 6| may be adjusted by movement of the plate 58 relative to the spool 2| to such position as it is desirable to have the track pin 53 start engagement with the track 22. For example, if this finger 6l' were adjusted to a position midway between the ends of the track 22, the period of inoperativeness of the phonograph would in such case be approximately fifteen minutes. As be fore stated, this period may be varied in the manner just described. Let it be assumed that the finger 6! is adjusted so as to permit the track pin'53 to travel the full length of the track 22. Further assuming that the track pin has completed but approximately one-half of its movement at which time the phonograph starting circuit is conditioned by the employment of a coin in a manner well-known in the phonograph art under such conditions, as soon as the phonograph motor circuit is energized by the phonograph starting circuit the coil 42 will become energized and rock the carriage plate 25 to disengage the track pin 53 from the spiral track 22 and to allow the return of the track pin 53 to starting position with respect to the spiral track 22, the return of the track pin 53 being accomplished by the exertion of the spring 29 upon the track arm 21.

By this arrangement, should at any time before the phonograph is conditioned for play by the closing of the switch 48, a coin be employed in the usual and well-known manner to condition the phonograph for play, the track arm 2? will likewise return to its initial starting position by the operation of the coil 42 upon the carriage plate 25. On the other hand, should the phonograph be not conditioned for play by the employment of a coin within the period of the half hour, then at the end of the half hour period the phonograph will be automatically conditioned for play by the closing of the switch 48, which switch is closed in the manner hereinbefore stated.

From the foregoing description, I have provided a device which is efiicient for effecting automatic operation of the phonograph-apparatus at predetermined periods in the event that within such period the phonograph is not conditioned for play by the employment of a coin. The automatic playing of the phonograph will have the effect of encouraging those listening to the playing of the phonograph, to continue its operation :by the employment of coins. When it is considered that over a given period of time the standard coincontrolled phonograph can only be played a certain number of times, it will be obvious that if the phonograph remains inoperative any great length of time there will result a considerable loss in the income derived from the playing of the phonograph by the employment of coins. Consequently this income can be stabilized if those listening to the playing of the phonograph can be induced to play the same by the employment of coins. The inducement to play the phonograph by the employment of coins is to start the playing of the phonograph automatically at predetermined intervals with the expectation. that those listening to the phonograph will, because of such stimulus, continue the operation of the phonograph by the use of coins.

WhileI have ilustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capabe of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A control device for controlling the operation of a coin-controlled phonograph at predetermined intervals comprising a starting switch, a member for closing said switch, means for supporting said member for movement into switch closing position, means for moving said member into switch closing position, means for releasing said member from said moving means at the end of the movement of said member in one direction for movement in a direction from said switch closing position, said releasing means including a rockable carriage carrying said member, and an electromagnetic element for rocking said carriage in a direction to release said member from said moving means.

2. A control device for controlling the operation of a coin-controlled phonograph at predetermined intervals comprising a starting switch, a member for closing said switch, means for supporting said member for movement into switch closing position, means for moving said member into switch closing position, means for releasing said member from said moving means at the end of the movement of said member in one direction for movement in a direction from said switch closing position, said releasing means including a rockable carriage carrying said member, and an electromagnetic element for rocking said carriage in a direction to release said member from said moving means, said moving means comprising a rotatable member having a spiral track, means for rotating said rotatable member, and a tracking member carried by said switch closing member and engaging said spiral track.

LYNDON A. DURANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,048,439 Fairchild July 21, 1936 2,152,631 Bohn Apr. 4, 1939 2,232,925 Mills Feb. 25, 1941 2,421,835 Durant June 10, 1947 

